In many of her songs, she incorporates humor into a narrative, some tracks ultimately becoming catchy anecdotes. Generally, her songs are unconventionally folk-like, using horn arrangements not found in tracks recorded by mainstream artists. Sobule also uses both satire and experience to sing about sexuality, depression, war, abandonment, and creed.
Cinnamon Park
Jill Sobule Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Waiting for the battle of the bands
Betty's older brother had a bad reputation
And a water bed in his van
He said hey Jilly Sue I've got something for you
Something that will blow your mind
We hopped into his van
And he opened his hand
[Chorus]
Cinnamon park in a cinnamon daze
We were so freaked out
But in a really good way
In a really good way
Yeah those were the days
I wish I could go back again
Billy had a talk box and a Peavey bass
Started feeling funny when they hit the stage
Betty was getting so shitfaced
And I could not stop laughing
As I spun all around and I laid on the ground
I was amazed at how the clouds just kept moving
And they played the same song
And they played the chords wrong
But I never heard it better
[Chorus]
Betty's now in counseling
And she's using again
Her brother's unemployed but with a brand new van
Billy came in second in the battle of the bands
Wish we could go back again
[Chorus: x2]
The lyrics of "Cinnamon Park" by Jill Sobule are a recollection of teenage rebellion, experimentation and escapism. The singer, along with her friend Betty Shelly, attend a battle of the bands event at Cinnamon Park. Betty's older brother, who has a shady reputation, drives them in his van and offers them drugs. The singer and Betty indulge in the drug and feel "freaked out" but in a good way. As the music starts, the singer feels disoriented and transfixed by the cloud movements. The band playing has some wrong chords but the singer doesn't mind it as it sounds better to her. The chorus nostalgically reminisces about the experience and ponders on the wish to go back in time. In contrast, the last verse reveals that the characters' lives have taken a different direction. Betty is struggling with addiction and counseling, her brother is unemployed and the band which came second in the battle of the bands seems like a distant memory.
The song conveys a sentiment of longing for a simple, euphoric moment when all cares and worries of the world were negated. It embodies the youthful desire for rebellion, experimentation and risk-taking. However, as the song progresses, the later verses suggest that the moment was fleeting, and the character's present lives demonstrate that their teenage excitement and recklessness has had life-long consequences.
Line by Line Meaning
Me and Betty Shelly were at Cinnamon Park
I was at Cinnamon Park with my friend Betty Shelly.
Waiting for the battle of the bands
We were waiting for a music contest.
Betty's older brother had a bad reputation
Betty's brother was not looked upon favorably by others.
And a water bed in his van
He had a water bed in his van.
He said hey Jilly Sue I've got something for you
He approached me and said he had something to show me.
Something that will blow your mind
He promised what he had to show me would be incredible.
We hopped into his van
Betty, the brother and I entered into his van.
And he opened his hand
The brother opened his hand to reveal something.
And said its only mother nature
He revealed that what he had was a natural substance.
[Chorus]
Refrain of the song
Cinnamon park in a cinnamon daze
We were in a daze from what we experienced in Cinnamon Park.
We were so freaked out
We were scared initially.
But in a really good way
But we were happy with the experience.
Yeah those were the days
Those were the good times.
I wish I could go back again
I yearn to relive those moments.
Billy had a talk box and a Peavey bass
Billy was playing a talk box and a Peavey bass guitar.
Started feeling funny when they hit the stage
I started feeling a bit weird as they started their performance.
Betty was getting so shitfaced
Betty was getting heavily intoxicated.
And I could not stop laughing
I couldn't control my laughter.
As I spun all around and I laid on the ground
I was spinning and lying on the ground.
I was amazed at how the clouds just kept moving
I was in awe observing how the clouds were drifting continuously.
And they played the same song
The band played the same song multiple times.
And they played the chords wrong
They were playing the chords with some mistakes.
But I never heard it better
But the quality of their music sounded good to me.
[Chorus]
Refrain of the song
Betty's now in counseling
Betty is now receiving treatment.
And she's using again
But she's reverted to her old ways.
Her brother's unemployed but with a brand new van
Betty's brother is jobless, but he got a new van.
Billy came in second in the battle of the bands
Billy came second in the music contest.
Wish we could go back again
We all desire to relive those memories.
[Chorus: x2]
Refrain of the song twice
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Spirit Music Group, BMG Rights Management
Written by: JILL SOBULE, ROBERT LAMM, ROBERT WILLIAM LAMM
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Barbara Paris
i love this song
Barbara Paris
I love this song !!!!!!!!!
JoshDone
I just love her so much. I hope she made a video for "Joey."
Tyler Haney
@tprecourt - She didn't steal it from them. It's called sampling. It's not like she's trying to get away with something underhanded. She uses the original Chicago instrumental track to set a tone - a carefree, nostalgic setting, in a park in the 1970s. It's a perfect choice.
Lars Erik Volden
ooh! this is so cool!
aramanth
Betty's now in counseling and she's using again
Her brother's unemployed but with a brand new van
Billy came in second in the battle of the bands
Wish we could go back again
Read more: Jill Sobule - Cinnamon Park Lyrics | MetroLyrics
FredericN
Why does it end so abruptly?
Tyler Haney
@lozer18 It's not a cover. She's using the actual instrumental track from the original recording as the backing track for a new song. That's a sample. It's not like she's trying to fool anyone here. She's using a familiar song to set a tone. I think (a.) it's very effective, and (b.) it's a great song.
Shaky Ventures
It is! And even better, she contacted the songwriter, who told her to use the tune, but play an original version of it, because, he said, "screw the other guys in the band" getting a chunk of the royalties. One of my favorite Jill songs!
Z James Proz
Nice sample of ... Saturday in the Park.......